Comparison of the efficacy of laterally wedged insoles and bespoke unloader knee orthoses in treating medial compartment knee osteoarthritis

24 patients with Kellgren-Lawrence I-II medial compartment knee osteoarthritis were randomized to 6 weeks of either lateral wedge insole of valgus unloader knee brace use. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of each intervention on knee pain, knee range of motion, maximum knee adductor moment, walking speed, and stride length during gait analysis. Results demonstrated significant improvement from baseline to 6 weeks within each group for all assessed outcomes. Between-group differences for results at 6 weeks were non-significant, with the exception of greater knee range of motion while walking in the insole group compared to the brace group.